Shutdown affecting Orange County social services

Published: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at 03:11 PM.

The Orange County Department of Social Services said it is currently responding to the negative impacts resulting from the federal government's partial shutdown.

According to a news release, the programs being impacted immediately are mostly related to block grants, specifically Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Social Services Block Grant and the Child Care Development Fund.

The County said it has received notice from the state to stop work on the Adolescent Parenting Program that was supported with TANF funds, Work First employment services, and the Food and Nutrition Employment program. In addition, the state has indicated that child care reimbursements will be very limited until a federal budget is passed.

The release states that originally, DSS suspended services to the 44 children and their adolescent parents in the two school systems and reassigned the two social workers to assist in other areas within the department.

DSS will be restoring these services with the support of the Board of Commissioners. Although the future of federal funding is unknown until the shutdown is resolved, this program has been very successful in helping teen parents to delay second pregnancies, to graduate from high school and to improve parenting skills, the release stated.

“The current problems in Washington are impacting some of the most vulnerable children and families in our community. We are very appreciative for the support our community and County officials have provided for us during this extremely difficult time for our families and staff,” said Nancy Coston, director of Social Services.

No additional cash payments can be authorized for applicants for Work First at this time. All Work First cash recipients will receive notification at the end of this week that they may not receive their November payments.

The Orange County Department of Social Services said it is currently responding to the negative impacts resulting from the federal government's partial shutdown.

According to a news release, the programs being impacted immediately are mostly related to block grants, specifically Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Social Services Block Grant and the Child Care Development Fund.

The County said it has received notice from the state to stop work on the Adolescent Parenting Program that was supported with TANF funds, Work First employment services, and the Food and Nutrition Employment program. In addition, the state has indicated that child care reimbursements will be very limited until a federal budget is passed.

The release states that originally, DSS suspended services to the 44 children and their adolescent parents in the two school systems and reassigned the two social workers to assist in other areas within the department.

DSS will be restoring these services with the support of the Board of Commissioners. Although the future of federal funding is unknown until the shutdown is resolved, this program has been very successful in helping teen parents to delay second pregnancies, to graduate from high school and to improve parenting skills, the release stated.

“The current problems in Washington are impacting some of the most vulnerable children and families in our community. We are very appreciative for the support our community and County officials have provided for us during this extremely difficult time for our families and staff,” said Nancy Coston, director of Social Services.

No additional cash payments can be authorized for applicants for Work First at this time. All Work First cash recipients will receive notification at the end of this week that they may not receive their November payments.

According to the release, this will affect about 180 Orange County families who receive cash payments averaging $224 per month.

“Many of the programs at risk are the lifelines for our seniors, our children and low-income families who are struggling to make ends meet,” added Coston.

At this time, no additional children are being added to the child-care subsidy program although the county has decided to continue to support the 600 low-income children receiving subsidies to support employment of the parents. If reimbursements do not become available in November for October services, this may present a cash flow issue for the County, the release stated.

For more information about the status of these or other DSS programs, please call the DSS at 919-245-2800.